Dec. 12, Wales, Maine / Piper Tri-Pacer

At about 15:30 EST, a Piper PA22-108 lost power during the initial climb from Wales Airport and was damaged in the ensuing forced landing. Neither occupant was injured. The pilot told investigators the airplanes engine sputtered and lost total power at about 200 feet agl. The pilot initiated a right turn and performed a forced landing to a field. During the landing the airplane contacted the top of a knoll and nosed over. No fuel was found in the airplanes fuel tank or gascolator and there was no evidence of a fuel spill. The pilot reported both of the airplanes fuel gauges were indicating one-half full at the time of the accident.